Guitar Pick Holding Tecniques

[LPguitarman]

Does anybody out there hold their guitar picks the way I do? I use Mel-Bay picks with the knurling on the top. I hold the pick sideways. It just feels good between my thumb and index finger that way. I also get a different pick attack using the knurled part against the strings. When doing a pick scratch on the strings, I use the top flat part of the pick. I should also note that I use thin guage picks, however using the knurled end actually means I am using a slightly heavier guage.

Holding the pick this way also eliminates a lot of pick dropping. Maybe having a better grip on the pick helps that.

:RoCkIn

[Hacksaw]

I do this at times. I find myself rolling the pick round and using different edges as well. I like the side of a pick for its smoothness and softer sound, too.

I also use different pick material these days. Its like I can't decide what I like anymore LOL. So I use them all! Vpicks to Tortex and even a real old tortoise which I never drop.

[kludge]

You should read what Tuck Andress wrote about pick technique.

Actually, EVERY guitarist should read it. It's the deepest analysis of the subject I've ever seen.

[Hacksaw]

Thanks! great read.

[MilkNCereal]

I use the pick sideways and use a weird pick I made a few years ago. It is two dunlop nylon picks (.46mm) superglued together. So depending on the way I pick causes different sounds. Barely grazing the strings with the side gives it a soft sound mellow tone. Then as I pick hard, it is like a sharp tone. Very weird pick, but it does the job and it allows me to change from chording to lead easily. I'll try and get a picture of it.

-Ryan

[Adwex]

Originally Posted by Rik

Thanks! great read.

Yes, but, I wish there were pictures or a video illustrating what he's talking about.

[joel98z]

Originally Posted by kludge

You should read what Tuck Andress wrote about pick technique.

Actually, EVERY guitarist should read it. It's the deepest analysis of the subject I've ever seen.

Looks like a good read.. In the past few months I have been really going back and revisting the basics of guitar playing and picking technique and how you hold the pick is something I never really though about or focused in depth. here is a Paul Gilbert video on the subject... meat of it starts @ 1:10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpJNUGHxC3M